Mount Baldy, Old Baldy, or more formally, Mount San Antonio — whatever you call this mountain, the trek to the summit is considered a right of passage for SoCal hikers. Baldy towers over the San Gabriel Mountains and is the highest point in the range. The far-reaching panoramic views found at the exposed 10,064-foot summit attract plenty of hikers. There are two major routes to the top: The Baldy Bowl – Sky Hut Trail and the Baldy Notch – Devil’s Backbone Trail. Both hikes depart from Manker Flats and can be combined into one scenic and challenging 11.3-mile loop with 3,900 feet of elevation gain.

Descend the dirt road next to the operating ski lift, passing San Antonio Falls to return to the trailhead (11.3 miles)

West Baldy from the summit of Mount Baldy

A ski lift operating on weekends can be used to fly up to Baldy Notch and back for $20 (as of March, 2012). The lift cuts 1,500 vertical feet out of the hike (and may be condoned as cheating). The ski lift omits the least interesting segment of the hike, so utilizing it is understandable.

Different routes and starting points create a variety of lengths for hikes to Mount Baldy. The shortest hike to the summit, requiring the use of the ski lift, is 6.6 miles round trip with 2,350 feet of elevation gain and involves hiking up and back on Devil’s Backbone Trail. However, if you begin at the bottom of the mountain and hike up to Baldy Notch before crossing Devil’s Backbone Trail, that hike to the summit is 13.6 miles round trip. To complicate things further, if you do not start hiking from the trailhead shared with Baldy Bowl Trail, you can park farther up at the bottom of the ski lift and use a connection trail to reach the dirt road leading to Baldy Notch, cutting out 1.2 miles of trail each way (see the Manker Flats to Baldy Notch report for more information on this variation). The trail that passes the Sierra Club Ski Hut to reach the summit is 4.5-miles long (9 miles round trip).

Hiking down Devil’s Backbone Trail from the summit of Mount Baldy

When you decide to visit Baldy, consider all options including the recommended 11.3-mile loop. Each trail to the top has strenuous passages, but no rock climbing is required to reach the large bald summit. Dangerous winter conditions on Mount Baldy should be avoided.

Mount Baldy has clear views looking miles in every direction. Southern California’s other principal peaks (Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Gorgonio, and Santiago Peak) are all in view as well as a long list of peaks and valleys in the San Gabriel Mountains.

To get to the trailhead: Take the 210 east to Baseline Road (exit 52). Turn left at the light at the end of the ramp on to Baseline Road. Make the next right on to Padua Avenue. Drive 1.7 miles and turn right onto Mount Baldy Road (there will be a traffic light). Continue 7 miles up Mount Baldy Road through Mount Baldy Village (where there is a visitor center). and follow the road for another 4.4 miles up the mountain past Manker Flats Campground to the bottom of Falls Road on the left. Park along Mount Baldy Road, display an adventure pass, and begin hiking up Falls Road.

Mount Baden-PowellThis 8.25-mile round trip hike ascends 2,834 feet to one of the tallest summits in the San Gabriel Mountains and a monument to Lord Baden-Powell, a BSA icon and the founder of the Scout Movement.

Twin Peaks & Mount WatermanThis 11.65-mile hike extends a loop over Mount Waterman by dropping across a saddle and ascending to Twin Peaks, a panoramic summit in the center of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Running shoes can work if they’ve got good traction and you’re not too worried about your ankles. However, hiking boots will really help to get through the rocky and steep parts on this hike. If you’re doing that much hiking, I’d recommend getting a pair of decent hiking boots. I’ve been wearing Merrell’s Moab boots for a few years now and really like them, but you should find a pair that feels right for you. This is a long hike so bring plenty of water and wear/pack layers because conditions at the top can be different from the conditions at the bottom. Hiking poles will be helpful too. Hope that helps.

I wore my “heavy” (for shoes) trail runners (NB 910) when we just did South Fork to the summit of San Gorgonio last weekend, up the Dollar Lake trail and down the Dry Lake trail (24 miles, 4700 elevation). I carried my big pack (albeit mostly empty) with water to make it weigh in at about 24 lbs. I had no problems at all with shoes although this was the first time I’d ditched my boots in favor of the shoes. Traction with them was excellent, much better than my boots (Scarpa Mustangs) and near the end of the day I was glad of the reduced weight. Only kicked one rock on the side of my leg that would have been protected by boots, otherwise the shoes were as good or better than boots.

I just finished the Baldy loop wearing my Vibrams (“five-finger shoes”), and I ran the downhill slopes that weren’t too steep without falls or scrapes. I’ve been doing this on Baldy off and on for four years now. Thus, heavy boots are not necessary, unless there is snow on the ground.

Unless things have changed recently, an Adventure Pass is still needed for each vehicle. They are $5 for the day or $30 for a year. You can buy one at any Big 5 or from several other retailers. On your drive up to the trailhead, you can pick one up from the Mount Baldy Visitor Center in Mt. Baldy Village. Enjoy the hike!

[…] hike up Mt. Baldy, the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains. It would be a long hike (the loop trail is just over 11 miles) and also one that would challenge my fears about elevations as the peak […]

What is some of the best and most primary type of gear i should bring if I plan to go around the months of March or April? And how difficult would you say it is for a mountain dog. And could you camp up on the mountain?

Hiked the loop today, March 10th. Very pleasant weather, 65 deg at the summit, clear, and a slight breeze. You will encounter snow on the trail above the ski hut (8300 ft Elev). Recommend attachments on your shoes like yaktrac to prevent slides or falls. Weekdays minimal hikers, only saw 6 hikers above the ski hut….lots of solitude and tranquility. Enjoy!

[…] Mount Baldy, which is the highest point in the San Gabriel Mountains, serves as a ski resort in the winter months and is located just an hour east of LA (map here). Before embarking on this trek, we read many articles and heard many stories about how to hike this 10,064 foot summit and in the end, we concluded that ascending via Baldy Bowl and descending along The Devil’s Backbone, making for an 11.3 mile hike, was the best route – we stand by this decision (Great post about the various trail options here.) […]

Snow and ice would not be unusual in March and it could be dangerous even with good equipment (crampons, ice axe, maybe skis w/skins, etc.) if there is much on the roads and trail. The downhill ski area is still open, I think, so you might have trouble dodging skiers and finding the trail on this side and the trail from the fire road to the hut. People have been lost on an icy Devil’s Backbone. This loop would not be my choice right now (look for a hike at lower elevations).

As far as dogs, I’ve had them on Baldy, but the jagged rocks are hard on the pads of their paws, especially those on the trail around the Sierra Club Ski Hut and the bowl. You might want to consider boots for dogs as the pads can take a long time to heal, even for a “mountain dog.” Keep looking at those paws. The biggest problem with the dogs is the water so you, and perhaps they as well with a doggie pack, must carry enough as the only places you’ll find it on this loop is the spring above the hut and the notch (top of the lower lift in the ski area).

Before I die, I want to do the summit from Mount Baldy Village, about twice the distance of this loop and a few thousand more feet to climb; no water on this trail once you leave the canyon. This and Ice House Canyon might be a good place to hike while you are waiting for the snow and ice to clear higher up; I saw Big Horn Sheep on the trail a few miles up from the village having a much better time than I was (had a thigh muscle, injured in a motorcycle accident, go into spasm near the top and turned back when my companions were met on their way down). Good times had by all for the most part, though, unless you get into some trouble.

Seriously?! Don’t let this stop you from hiking! Fear not warranted – unless maybe you are a cat or a chuhuahua or a toddler hiking alone. Far more people are injured in vending machine accidents every year than in bear or lion accidents. Just read up on what to do if you encounter wildlife and go enjoy the trail!

[…] can start the hike at the base of the Manker Flats trailhead or from the Baldy Bowl (or pick one of these other trail options). For those of you that are satisfied with a shorter, yet still intense hike, you can take the ski […]

Is it better to have devil’s backbone for descending part or for ascending part. I am not sure if I should go from San Antonio’s Fall side, which will make the devil’s backbone for descend. It I start from the ski lift side, then it will be for ascend. Which will be fun to do.

Fair question. People go both directions, but I’ve only ever started by going up The Baldy Bowl – Sky Hut Trail. This gives you really nice views looking out over the surroundings as you come down Devil’s Backbone Trail. Enjoy the hike, whichever route you take…

Hey there, we are planning an overnight trip to Baldy in 2 weeks. We are going to camp off the trail and want to know of any good flat smooth camping spots at the top of the Summit or close by. Also is there any source of water to fill up water bottles while on Baldy Bowl or Devils Backbone Trail? Thanks

No worries about these animals, the only mammals that were spotted there were big horn sheep and that was during spring or summertime. But be mindful of the devil’s backbone trail, its kinda steep and there’s a portion where you’ll step on an 8 to 12 foot width ridge. The view anywhere is spectacular.

I would like to hike Mount Baldy sometime during the week of April.18th ….. I will more than likely be hiking alone ….. Is there many people hiking that I may be able to follow at that time of the morning (7:00am) during the week.

Fall can be a fine time to hike in the San Gabriels, but snow and ice can add additional danger to this hike, particularly on the Devil’s Backbone. Check the weather before you head out and be prepared to turn back early if conditions are not safe.

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